2ist – 22nd April

It’s the Thursday before Easter and the park was filling with families quickly.  We headed off down the Pacific Highway to Grafton then westward along the Gwydir Highway.  The road was very picturesque especially once we crossed the Mann River.  We stopped for lunch at a beautiful “Lollback” Rest Area next to a high bridge crossing the river.  Then the road followed the river for quite some kilometres with some with beautiful glimpses of the fast flowing stream and broad sand banks on the river bends.

Then we began the steep climb up the Gibralta Range (1200m high).  As we climbed the constantly turning road through thick temperate rain forest we could continually hear the call of the Bellbirds.

Once on top we saw for the first time the changing autumn colours in the trees as we travelled across undulating grazing country.

Arriving at Glen Innes we booked into Craigieburn Tourist Park, a bush camp setting on the edge of town.  The park covered 40 hectares of granite boulder strewn country with cottages and powered camping sites intermingled between the boulders.  A small creek traversed the property trickling down between the boulders.  Kangaroos and rabbits grazed everywhere in the afternoons and rock wallabies came out at night. What a unique place to stay.  As we got to speak to others staying at the camp we found that there are many regulars who return there each year for autumn or for Easter.

Glen Innes is one of the friendliest towns we have ever experienced.  Just shopping in the supermarket was an enjoyable experience as shoppers and staff so freely interacted.  And one would not have thought we were strangers either although the luggage bag on the roof of the car is a bit of a giveaway.  It was really refreshing.

Good Friday was a very slow day for us and we spent quite some time reading, resting, and contemplating the reason for the special day.  Lots of opportunities to talk to people too. The weather was almost perfect so we enjoyed a wonderful walk through the park.  The old church buildings in G.I. are outstanding structures.  It is a beautiful and very tidy town.